It will be a sad day for craft makers in Pewsey when Miss Lemon’s Woolshop, which has been in the town for twenty years, closes its doors on August 10.
Owner for the last five years and ex-nurse, Marion Leman Lawrie, is moving back to Wales for her husband’s job. She has been unable to find a buyer for the shop. “The shop,” says Marion, “has gone from strength to strength. Supplying customers from all over the world it has become a destination shop.”
It sells colourful yarns, fabrics and haberdashery but has, says Marion, “a few quirky bits.” Customers make items that she sells and there is a ‘boast’ window display where customers can display items they are particularly pleased with.
“The best thing about the shop is being part of the community – it always has been. We always supply the fabric for the Pewsey Carnival Queen’s outfit. People coming in the shop tell you all their woes, troubles but I used to be a nurse so I’m happy with that.”
“The shop is like an Aladdin’s cave, customers say it cheers them up just to come in and look at the colours.”
‘Knitting and crochet have,” says Marion, “got more popular over the last few years. It’s as good as yoga and meditation for mental health. So many people come back to it. Today yarn technology is such that anyone can make anything.”
The shop has a huge range of yarns which change all the time and Marion has been known to teach people how to knit and crochet behind the counter when the shop is not busy.
“There is,” she says, “a huge potential here for someone a bit younger to take it forward to the next thing.”
However, in the absence of a buyer Marion is starting to sell off the shop’s stock. On Monday June 11 there will be a buy one get one free offer on buttons and patterns. The following week there will be three for the price of two on yarn. A new section of the shop will be added each week.
Marion knows that her lifelong interest in knitting and crochet will follow her to Wales. “I might do a knitting retreat, or a holiday retreat and I’d like to get children knitting more.”
Marion is grateful for all the support and friendship shown during her tenure, and will miss her loyal customers when she moves to her next big adventure.
Mark Wickham paintings and Louise Wickham ceramics at the White Horse Gallery
